How to Make a Concrete Driveway Expansion Joint Watertight

A concrete driveway is an important addition to your home. It not only provides an extension of the tarmac to your garage, but it also increases the value of your home. When building a concrete driveway expansion joints are left to allow for the concrete to expand especially during the warmer periods. The gaps also allow the concrete to contract during the colder periods without causing cracks. However, if the gaps are not protected, water may seep through and cause damage to the concrete.

In the end, your driveway may end up cracking and sinking in some areas exposed to water. It is, therefore, important that you seal these concrete expansion joints early to make them watertight:

Things You Need

• Self-levelling concrete sealant
• Caulking gun
• Utility knife
• Acetone
• Protective gloves
• Angle grinder and cutting wheel
• Vacuum
• Backer rod

Preparing the Concrete Joints

The first step is to prepare the concrete joints. If there is old sealant, you need to remove it. If you apply a new coat over the old one, it might not hold and might just peel off the concrete. Use the utility knife to cut out the old sealant. The acetone also comes in handy in dissolving the old sealant. If using the utility knife is tiresome, you can use the angle grinder and cutting wheel to achieve faster results.

Ensure that the cutter of the grinder can reach through the layer of the sealant. You should then use the vacuum to remove the debris from the old sealant. After this is done, wait for an hour till the sealant is dry before proceeding to the next step.

Applying the Sealant

The brand of sealant you choose should be self-levelling so as to achieve an even finish. It should remain permanently flexible after application to allow for the expansion and contraction. Additionally, it should dry quickly after applying and be resistant to the different weather conditions. It is important to note that the best temperature to carry out the sealing is above 10 degree Celsius.

This is when the concrete is less likely to have fully expanded or contracted. The next step is to lay out the backer road on the lining of the joints. This ensures that you do not use a lot of sealant. It is important to ensure that the backer rod is below the surface of the driveway to avoid bumps along the expansion joints. You should then use the sealant in the tube attached to a caulking gun to apply the sealant.

To learn more, contact a company like Allied Concrete Cutting & Drilling Pty Ltd.